Oyinlola, other OBJ associates inaugurate National Coalition

Subsequent to the proposal by former President Olusegun Obasanjo towards the 2019 general elections, associates of the former president on Wednesday inaugurated a national coalition.

Though Obasanjo, who had hinted of the formation of the coalition in a public statement wherein he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quietly ease himself out of contention for 2019, was absent at the meeting, his associates including erstwhile governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola we’re at the event.

Oyinlola was in 2017 appointed as Chairman of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), by President Buhari.

His presence gave credence to insinuations that he would soon resign his position at NIMC.

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Others at the event included ex-governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke. There are indications that he may be drafted into the race to replace Buhari.

Also present was Abdul Ahmadu-Bello, a scion of one of the founding fathers of northern Nigeria.

So many other prominent Nigerians graced the event which held at the Shehu Yar’adua Center in Abuja.

Obasanjo had in the public statement dismissed the possibility of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the country out of the woods preferring what he called a “National Coalition” to achieve the task.

Concerns had mounted across the country over Buhari’s ability to manage the nation’s diversity and stem the rising tide of Fulani herdsmen’s murderous rampage against farmers.

Prior to commencement of the event, insinuations became rife that Oyinlola, who chaired the launch, would throw in the towel at NIMC.

There are unconfirmed reports that many within President Buhari’s government, who had gotten tired of his administration’s style, would also throw in the towel in the coming days to join forces with the coalition.

 

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